Notes:

1

• Notes
• Exam corrections due on Thursday, November 12
• Last Exam
• Concrete vs Abstract words

2
Language

• Human Neuropsychology (486 / 686)
• Lecture Chapter 19

.
2
3
Components of Language
4
The Production of Sound
5
Origins of Language

• Vocalization theories - precursors of language
  were animal vocalization. (poo-poo, bow-wow,
  yo-he-ho, sing-song)
• Gestural Theory Primitive gestures evolved into
  language
• Multimodal Theory gestures and vocalizations
  evolved together

6
A Theory of Language

• Core skills for language
• 1. Categorization
• 2. Label categories
• 3. Sequence behaviors
• 4. Mimicry

7
The Localization of Language

• Anatomical Areas

pSTP
aSTP
8
Localization of Language

• Wernicke Geshwind Model

Primary auditory
Visual areas
parietal
9
Mapping Speech Zones

• Electrical stimulation generally confirms roles
  of classic speech areas, adds primary motor and
  somatosensory areas and supplimental motor area
  (prefrontal)
• Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
  generally confirms electrical stimulation studies
  but suggests additional role for Brocas area
• Imaging fMRI many areas activated
• PET specific areas active for
  specific tasks

10
Mapping Speech Zones

• Confirm roles of anterior / posterior speech
  zones
• Posterior speech zone analysis of auditory input
• Additional role for Brocas area
• Language maps onto primary sensory areas

11
Disorders of Language

• Aphasia - Disorder of speaking, writing
  (agraphia), or reading (alexia) that does not
  result from loss of sensory input, muscle
  paralysis or intellectual impairment

12

• Why is studying language complex?
• 1. Widespread areas of the brain contribute to
  language
• 2. Most studies of language disorders involve
  patients with damage to the Middle Cerebral
  Artery
• 3. Language deficits after a stroke are severe at
  first, but recover over time
• 4. Aphasias have many symptoms and causes

13
Disorders of Language

• Three Main Categories of Aphasia

14
Fluent Aphasias

• Wernickes (Sensory) Aphasia
• Transcortical mixed Aphasia (isolation syndrome)
• Conduction Aphasia
• Anomic or Amnesic Aphasia

15
Nonfluent Aphasias

• Brocas or Expressive aphasia
• Transcortical Motor Aphasia,
• Global Aphasias

16
Cortical Components

• Fluent Aphasias
• Core deficit is Lack of
• speech
• comprehension -
• temporal regions around
• Wernickes
• Non-fluent Aphasias
• Five symptoms
• 1. Speech Apraxia - insula
• 2. Sentence comprehension
• - superior temporal gyrus
• 3. Speech repetition - arcuate fasciculus
• 4. Working memory
• 5. Articulation

Brocas area
17
Pure Aphasias

• Alexia - Inability to read (left
  temporooccipital)
• Agraphia - Inability to write (left inferior
  parietal)
• Word deafness - Cannot hear or repeat words
  (superior temporal gyrus)

18
Subcortical Components of Language

• Basal Ganglia
• Important for speech articulation
• Thalamus
• Influences language by activating the cortex

19
Right Hemisphere Contributions to Language